Tirana, 2 May 2025 – During a public forum organized by CRCA/ECPAT Albania, attended by parliamentary candidates from the main political parties, the Children and Youth Rights Manifesto of Albania was presented for the first time.
The document is the result of an extensive consultation process with hundreds of children and young people from across Albania and was developed in cooperation with the National Child Helpline – ALO 116 111, and the Albanian National Youth Network (ANYN). Its goal is to promote and protect the rights of children and youth, placing their needs and aspirations at the heart of public policies and government programs.
The Manifesto reflects the voices and concerns of the new generation, with a strong emphasis on digital safety, offering clear guidance for future political commitments and measures to improve the lives and well-being of children and young people in Albania.
The document outlines 12 key priorities, addressing major challenges and opportunities for youth development, including digital safety, free access to education and healthcare, protection from violence and abuse, mental health, participation in decision-making, and the creation of employment and professional development opportunities for young people.
This Manifesto represents a concrete civic commitment to ensure that Albania becomes a country that respects, supports, and empowers its children and youth. It serves as both a tool for advocacy campaigns and a reference for political parties to integrate youth and child-related issues into their programs and agendas.
Moreover, the Manifesto provides practical guidance for public institutions to design policies, plans, and strategies that serve the best interests of children and youth. By doing so, it has the potential to directly influence improvements in living conditions and opportunities, becoming a roadmap for building fairer and more dignified futures for younger generations in Albania.
The Manifesto is also a call to action addressed to political parties and public institutions to include its proposals in their electoral programs and government policies. We urge every political force to read, reflect on, and implement this document as part of their public commitments toward a fairer, safer, and more equitable Albania for children and youth.